Valittaneet

Valittaneet, also known as "valittaneet" in Finnish, refers to the Finnish parliamentary elections held to elect members of the Eduskunta, Finland’s unicameral parliament. These elections are held every four years under a proportional representation system, ensuring that political parties gain seats in proportion to their share of the national vote.

The Finnish electoral system is unique in several ways. Voters have two votes: one for a party list and one for a specific candidate on that list. This dual-voting system allows voters to influence both the overall party representation and individual candidates. The threshold for a party to gain representation in the Eduskunta is 5% of the national vote, though smaller parties can enter if they secure at least five direct mandates from individual constituencies.

The elections are administered by the Finnish National Electoral Board, which oversees the process to ensure fairness and transparency. Voting is compulsory for Finnish citizens aged 18 and older, though there are no legal consequences for not voting. The elections are typically held on the third Sunday in September, with early voting and postal ballots available to accommodate different schedules.

Valittaneet play a crucial role in shaping Finland’s political landscape, as the elected MPs determine government formation, legislation, and national policies. The elections often reflect public sentiment on key issues, including economic conditions, social welfare, and European Union matters. The results are announced shortly after polling closes, with preliminary results available quickly, followed by official tallies within days.

The Finnish electoral process is widely regarded as a model of democratic participation, combining proportional representation with local candidate influence to create a balanced and representative parliament.